Argentine player beaten to death

A player was beaten to death by an opponent and supporters of a rival team following a violent encounter in Argentina’s third division.

Saturday’s match between Tiro Federal and Chacarita, two teams from Aimogasta in Argentina’s northwest, was abandoned 10 minutes before full-time because of fight between both teams which resulted in eight players being sent off.

After the game was over, Franco Nieto, 33, the Tiro Federal skipper, was attacked by several people “including a player from the opposing team, an assistant coach and a hooligan,” regional police chief Fabian Bordon told Todo Noticias television.

The police managed to identify the alleged perpetrator of the assault, surnamed Barrionuevo, who was arrested by order of the intervening Judge (Dolores Lazarte).

“In total there are three detainees. One child and two adults. All participated in the attack,” said Bordon

“People came to insult him. They kicked him and punched him. He tried to defend himself but he was struck violently in the head. He was operated on Tuesday, and died today,” Pablo Nieto, a nephew of the victim, told the news station.